OAM recipient 'delighted'

KARABAR resident David Horton said he was "delighted" to receive an Order of Australia Medal for his service to the community, particularly through the Anglican Church of Australia.

Mr Horton helped to manage the church's finances to make sure they stayed afloat particularly through the Global Financial Crisis.

"I was delighted to be put on the list and to be included in the honours," Mr Horton said.

"I do feel there are plenty of people who deserve it more than me but I'll take it with two hands. It's a great honour, [I'm from] a long term Australian family and we've tried to contribute to the community as much as possible."

The 77-year-old is still involved in the church's finances acting as the diocese's investment committee convenor.

"I was responsible for a development fund that recruited money from Anglican people and agencies. We made a bit of a profit on it and returned money to diocese. It would've been some millions of dollars," he said.

"I think that's partly why I was recognised and also because we managed through the GFC without loss, whereas local councils and many church bodies went through the wringer a bit."

Mr Horton has long been involved with the Christ Church Queanbeyan and the diocese. As well as being a parishioner he also has been on the parish council and acted as treasurer.

"I've always been an Anglican. My family came out here as convicts in 1791. Even in the first David Horton's will stated that his son had to be brought up as a member of the Church of England, so perhaps historically we've been involved like that," he said.

Mr Horton and his wife Sheila Norman do as much as they can to help the community. They have fostered children and Mr Horton also volunteers on the Karabar Housing Co-Operative.